5ive.

not to be confused with the british boyband; even though i did own, and often listen to, their debut self-titled album.

instead, today marks five years since i moved to calgary.

hooray!

if you asked me back then, i wouldn’t have stayed three months, but had forced myself to stay six and reevaluate after that. six months planted me firmly in one of the coldest and snowiest march’s i’ve ever witnessed, and there was no part of me that was driving back across the country in that kind of weather. i stayed put and decided to give myself six more months – that’s when my lease was up, anyway. i got to my one year anniversary with a broken leg, new internal hardware, a cast, and a shiny new set of crutches. i guess sometimes life decides to keep you in one place in funny ways.

my urge to move back to toronto has gone from hourly to about weekly, over the last five years, but it hasn’t disappeared. liking your family will do that to a person. thankfully, sister comes to visit at least once a year, and i’ve convinced dad and mom to come out twice each. now just to get my grandma out! she loves jasper and lake lousie, and i’d love to be able to experience both places with her.

i thank calgary for saving me. i left toronto in a real horrible place, as an emotionally abused, depressed, anxious 25 year old. flying solo in cowtown has given me the opportunity to work on restoring the lively and fun laura i once knew. with the help of a wide range of professionals, new friends, and a lot of fight (and tears, duh) i see her more and more often. she really likes the mountains.

Congrats on your moving anniversary! Moving is the hardest thing (I moved from Philly to Anchorage a few years ago) and I never stop being homesick, but I’m so glad that I did it. It’s so important to be in a place where you are happy!